NY state bishops say right to life outweighs other issues in voting

I blogged about this statement when it was released yesterday. I think it is extremely significant. CNA summarizes in a helpful way, and excerpts the "radioactive" passages:

The document [issued by the bishops of NY] “Our Cherished Right, Our Solemn Duty,” states that there are many important issues such as the right to life, issues of war and peace, the education of children and how we treat the poor and vulnerable. While all must be considered, “not every issue is of equal moral gravity.”

“The inalienable right to life of every innocent human person outweighs other concerns where Catholics may use prudential judgment, such as how best to meet the needs of the poor or to increase access to health care for all,” the New York bishops’ document says.

“The right to life is the right through which all others flow. To the extent candidates reject this fundamental right by supporting an objective evil, such as legal abortion, euthanasia or embryonic stem cell research, Catholics should consider them less acceptable for public office.”

Sure, to most readers of AmP, this might seem like common sense. But in the wider discourse of Catholics, it is distinctly uncommon sense (sadly). But this is what the bishops are telling us. What response do they (we) have?